"All clean-up response training for the entire Gulf Coast for the BP effort is being coordinated by PEC Premier of Mandeville at no cost to trainees," said LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink. "If an organization is charging a fee to those getting the training, they should be reported."

The LWC is providing outreach and recruitment services for several companies looking for trained workers to handle the oil spill clean up, contacting qualified individuals in the affected areas who had submitted job applications for oil spill jobs through the state's network of Business & Career Solutions Centers. More than 11,000 applications have been received by the LWC's centers throughout the state.

Workforce Commission services are offered at no cost to employers and participating job seekers, Eysink said.

In Louisiana, only Private Employment Services licensed by the LWC are authorized to charge an applicant a fee for job placement. Louisiana R.S. 23:111 prohibits an employment service from charging or collecting any fee from an applicant except for employment procured from the efforts of the employment service. This must be done in accordance with the terms of a written contract approved by the LWC. No employment service may charge a fee for the registration of applicants or candidates for employment or for assistance or job referrals.

Employment agencies are required by law to display their license and a schedule of fees for service. Job seekers should not pay fees to any employer without first ensuring that they are licensed. If the license is not on display, applicants should ask to see it before entering into a contract for services with the agency.

Job seekers who believe they have encountered an unlicensed Private Employment Service or are asked to pay for oil spill clean-up training should call the LWC's Labor Programs office at 225-342-7690.

A toll-free hotline has been established by BP to discuss spill-related damage claims, including loss of income: 1-800-440-0858.